A high-quality filter will ensure better airflow, engine performance, and fuel economy — so it's worth investing in a reliable one! Air filters are an integral part of your vehicle's maintenance routine, as they trap dirt and grime that would otherwise damage the engine over time.
Replacing a clogged air filter can play a crucial part in improving fuel efficiency and acceleration based on the make and model of your vehicle. A dirty or damaged air filter limits the quantity of air flowing into your vehicle's engine, making it work harder and using more fuel.
Neglecting your air filter can lead to several issues. Over time, it can cause reduced fuel efficiency, diminished horsepower, and even engine damage. Keeping up with this small maintenance task can save you from more significant, expensive problems.
As you peruse the routine maintenance schedule for your car, truck, or SUV, have you found yourself asking, “How often should you change an engine air filter?” If so, then you've come to the right place! Generally speaking, engine air filters need to be replaced every 30,000 to 45,000 miles.
A dirty air filter can certainly impede your air conditioner's ability to cool and after time could cause unnecessary strain on the entire system. Another common potential reason is that your compressor has failed.
No Air Filter
The air filter is like the lungs of your car, providing clean air to the engine for combustion. This air mixes with fuel to power up your ride. Without it, or when it's clogged, your engine struggles to breathe, leading to all sorts of problems.
Your engine does not work well with contaminated air. The engine does not put out enough power or performance when it is dirty. If your car jerks when you try to accelerate, it may not be getting enough oxygen. The horsepower in your vehicle is dependent entirely on the amount of oxygen the engine receives.
A bad air filter will sound like there is wind blowing in your car. Since the filter does not properly fit the bearing, the wind will start to blow from the edges of the filter. This air leakage from the edges of the filter will lead to a whistle-like sound or a wind-blowing sound in the vehicle.
Reassemble the air cleaner housing and ducting. Start the engine and check that it's running well and sounds good with no whistling.
A dirty engine air filter can cause your engine to run poorly, and contaminants that pass by it can cause wear inside your engine. A bad cabin air filter usually won't cause damage, but it can prevent you from operating your car safely.
Boosting Performance
But when the filter wears down and gets dirty, it can choke off your car's air flow and hurt your engine's acceleration power. If you've noticed slower acceleration or other issues with your vehicle's performance lately, replacing the air filter could be the answer.
Simply replacing your engine air filter can increase horsepower and, in some cases, even improve mileage.
A dirty air filter can trigger problems that include a loss of power (particularly if you have a turbocharged engine), odd engine noises, black smoke out the exhaust and reduced fuel economy. If it's bad enough, it can even cause the engine not to start or the check-engine light or service engine soon light to go on.
A new, clean new air filter keeps your HVAC unit running smoother and running longer, extending its useful life.
If your car's AC is blowing air but not cold air, there could be many reasons for this issue. A coolant leak is going to be the most obvious explanation for the car's AC not blowing cold. The car air conditioning relies on coolant to cool down the outside air and then circulates that cool air into your vehicle.
Not only will this help ensure that your engine is getting sufficient airflow, but it can also help improve fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact. It's recommended that you change your car's air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, depending on how often you drive and the type of environment you live in.
Absolutely. Swapping out a dirty, clogged air filter for a clean one will have immediate impacts on fuel economy and vehicle performance. In the long term, changing your air filters regularly can extend the life of your engine and reduce the likelihood of major malfunctions. Your vehicles will run better, too.
It used to be accepted practice to perform an oil change every 3,000 miles but modern lubricants have changed that. Today, many carmakers have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Also, if your car requires full-synthetic oil, it could even go as far as 15,000 miles between services.